Pilatusia

Pilatusia is a genus of extinct ray-finned fish that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Fossils of Pilatusia have been found in what is now Switzerland. The genus was first described by Arnold in 1953. The type species is Pilatusia schaubi.

Pilatusia is known from a few partial skeletons. These remains indicate that it was a relatively small fish, likely measuring no more than a few centimeters in length. Its morphology suggests it was a bottom-dwelling or reef-associated fish, adapted to shallow marine environments. Key features include its body shape and fin ray counts, though much of its anatomy is not well-preserved.

The presence of Pilatusia in the fossil record contributes to our understanding of fish diversity during the Cretaceous. Its discovery in the Swiss Alps, a region that was a shallow sea during that geological period, provides insights into the paleoecology of these ancient marine ecosystems. Further discoveries or detailed re-examinations of existing fossils are needed to fully elucidate the relationships and lifestyle of Pilatusia within the broader context of Actinopterygii evolution.